The Hows and Whys of Resizing a Ring

There are times when resizing a ring is necessary. Whether you gain a bit of weight, lose some weight, want to switch your ring to another finger, or you picked up a ring from a friend and you want to get it to fit properly, there are a couple ways that your ring band can be adjusted to fit you properly. If you decide that you need this service make sure that you consult with a professional to find out what your options are, and to get your finger sized properly so that you enjoy the very best fit possible. 

How It’s Done

When you need your ring resized, there are a few different methods employed to adjust the size up or down. When you want to move down slightly, the ring is cut, a small portion of it is removed, and then it is soldered back together again. When you want to move up to a larger size, there are two different methods available to you. The first is stretching, and works up to a half size. A special machine stretches out the metal of your ring to the new size. This is generally more affordable, and faster, but will only work if your requirements are very minor. 

If you need  the ring to go up a size or more, it will have to be cut and expanded. In this process, the ring is cut and the two sections are separated a bit. Then additional metal is inserted into the band and soldered into place to create the finished piece. 

Certain Metals Won’t Work

If your ring is made from certain metals, it simply cannot be resized. This is important to know before you waste the time traveling to your local jeweler to have it assessed. Stainless steel, titanium and tungsten are the three metals that generally can’t be resized. If your band is made from any of these metals, you’ll have to get a new band entirely, or pick up a new ring to get the size that you need. 

Consult a Jeweler

Always consult a qualified jeweler before you decide on whether to resize your ring or not. Make sure that you know the proper size for your finger, and find out what your options are and how much it will cost you to make the transition. There are some ring types that can’t be resized, though most can, so you have to keep this in mind as well. 

Two Size Limit

Generally your rings can only be modified by two sizes in either direction. That means if your ring is currently a size 6, you can bump it up to a size 8 or drop it down to a 4. If you need to go farther than that in either direction, you will probably have to purchase another ring instead.

Speak with us here at Draper's Jewelry and we can ensure that your ring is resized to perfect, as well as pointing you in the direction of one of our finer options if you're looking to upgrade.